NEW NEW ZEALAND LINERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 61, 13 March 1926, Page 19

NEW NEW ZEALAND LINERS.

CITY COMMENT. 20,000-TON MOTOR SHIPS. (From Our Specia Correspondent.) LONDON - , January 29. Commenting on the calling of tenders for two motor liners of 20,000 tons each for the service between London and New Zealand, the city editor of the "Times" cays "the news is significant. It is accompanied by the suggestion that yesBels of such size and of much greater speed than any yet built for the trade would not be contemplated but for the development of the motor engine. The New Zealand route via Panama is a suitable one for motor ships, since the vessels pass near to regions where oil is produced. Already there are two large cargo motor vessels employed in the service, whereas the Australian route via South. Africa has not the same merits from the oil user's point of view. It is largely to a saving in the cost of fuel that owners look for compensation for the higher first cost of motors as compared with steam engines. Motor ships 'seem steadily to be making headway. Mesere. Furness, Withy and Co., who, it is stated, have just placed contracts in this country for four motor cargo vessels, have already been able to make comparisons between steamships and motor ships in similar service, and seem pleased with the performance of motor vessels/

These boats are intended for passenger, mail arid cargo service, and the new liners are to have a speed of 17 knots, as compared with a speed of about 13 knots of the existing vessels in the service. This increased speed will enable the passage via the Panama Canal to be reduced from 37. days to 29 or 30 days—a saving of just a week. The distance ie about 11,000 miles.

The vessels and their equipment are to be of a character unsurpassed by- any liners afloat. They are to carry first and third class passengers only, whereas the present vessels, none of ■which is larger than about 12,000 tone gross, carry passengers in three classes.

The new motor ships are to have ac? commodation for 250 passengers in the first class and 700 in the third. They will have cargo-epace for about 10,000 tons (of 40 cubic feet) of refrigerated meat and dairy produce, besides large hold accommodation for wool and other New Zealand products and general merchandise from this country.

The anticipation is that the ships will be nearly two years building, and they "will provide much-needed work for British yards. It is believed that the construction of such vessels—much larger and faster than any yet built for the New Zealand service—has been made practicable by the development of the internal combustion engine. The first cost of the vessels will be greater than that of steamships of corresponding size; but there should be a substantial saving in the fuel bill as compared with that ~of • steamships designed to burn either oil or coal.. The vessels will be enabled to , bunker; with oil in the neighbourhood of the Panama CanaL " - "• - • ■■" >vi r-

The Shaw Sayill Company, ■which, had its origin in 1853, originally carried on trade between London; and New Zealand with sailing ships and, after steamships were introduced, gradually improved tfie type of steam vessel. t It. is now proposing to make the further transition from steamship to motor-ship.